Before we get to the actual art of swimming, we need to go over a few rules. When I teach, there are two rules I teach by. The first, is that when you get in the water, get in the water! The second, is that I care not about speed or distance. It's the technique that I'm looking at.
Rule #1: An explanation

• Basically "when you get in the water, get in the water" means that the worst thing you can do when entering the pool is to tip-toe slowly into the water so your body can get your body acclimated to the apparently freezing-cold temperature of the water.
• When you get in the water, jump in. Or at least quickly dunk yourself in the water when you do get in. It will feel a lot warmer, I promise you. It also let's you get over the fact that the water's apparently so cold! (which I assure you, is definitely not the case)

Rule #2: An Explanation

• When you worry about speed and distance, you're not concentrating on any part of the stroke in which you should be concentrating on (i.e. the kick, the pull, breathing, floating, etc.)
• When you're simply trying to get from point A to point B as fast as you can, you're worrying. In swimming, too much worry will kill you stroke in an instant. Worrying means that you're tensing up, especially when you're trying to get there at Mach Two.
• Relax! Take it easy. You're stroke will improve ten-fold if you simply relax. (And you won't be as tired as you thought when you do finally reach point-B.

That's it for now. Next time we'll go more into relaxing. Go swim...